It looks like 'Devil Nightmare and 'vampyregirl86' will be the death of this story in the words of Edward Cullen...Thank you so much to both of you for your support! X

Here is Chapter four pour everyone !

I just thought I would say that this story will have the MAJORITY of Bella's POV because the story is hers...I will have Edward's POV but it won't balance out with Bella's.

*Bella*

"Bonjour madame...Madamoiselle."

It was amazing how many people seemed to either recognise my cousin or even know her by person...Possibly both. There were many passersby who had taken the opportunity to greet us and I was always shooting my cousin a glance as she held onto my arm as an indication of finding out who most of these people were. The passers didn't know ME...Yet they greeted me anyway and it made a nice change to the mixed looks that both I individually and my whole family got in England. The French seem friendly and I suddenly felt much more at home here since I had first arrived and met Edward.

"So will there be any chance of running into Edward, today?" Maureen asked me tilting her head and her mouth closer to my left ear so that people who may have been able to understand us could not hear our conversation. I rolled my eyes.

"No...He said he had to work...Besides I thought you just wanted it to be us." I replied.

"Of course I do...Edward is a nice boy that is all."

"Maureen...He is hardly a boy."

"Exactly how old is he, then?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't find out his age?!" Maureen exclaimed.

"No...There were other things to talk about." I replied defensively.

"I see...Like what?" Maureen teased. I forced her arm out from around my own and stepped away from her.

"Everyone really needs to stop this...He is a friend...Nothing more...Why won't anyone believe me when I say that?!" I exclaimed wrapping my arms around the sides of my waist.

"Bella...Honestly, this is Paris the city of love...I am merely indulging myself into the mind of a French civilian."

"You are NOT French, Maureen...You are English and so am I...We must allow ourselves to have different views on love...At least the views which are acceptable from where we come from."

Maureen stopped and I joined her...We were standing opposite each other as various street goers were passing around us and between us.

"Bella...Do you want to find love?"

"You know I do."

"Open your eyes, then."

"What am I supposed to be seeing?"

"If you do not know already then I am certainly not going to be the one to tell you."

"That doesn't even make sense" I groaned and rubbed one side of my neck....All this talk about Edward and I being more than just friends was just getting old now...We both know what we are...Friends and we could only ever be friends seeing as we are from two different worlds...Two different countries might as well be two different worlds in my mind.

"You will find out that everything you have ever wanted is right in front of you...Come on, let's go to le patisserie." Maureen took my arm again forcing it away from my waist and gripping it tightly.

Before I could say anything to stop my cousin...We had already walked into Sebastian's cafe...shit, shit, shit....Maureen doesn't know that I have met him already!

"Good morning, Sebastian" Maureen said as she beamed a wide smile reaching the counter. Sebastian turned around to face her and sighed holding out both his arms in surprise.

"Maureen ma Cherie...It has been long time!" Sebastian exclaimed...He still hadn't noticed me as his eyes were all for my cousin.

"I am terribly sorry monsieur...I haven't been to well recently but as you can see, I am as right as rain now." Maureen replied gracefully.

"I am very pleased...Very happy to hear this!" Sebastian's eyes fell on me after he had been speaking to my cousin...He switched his eye glare from me and to my cousin, back to me and back to my cousin again.

"How are you, Bella?" Sebastian asked me keeping his stare on my cousin...Maureen swung around to face me.

"You know Sebastian, Bella?" she asked a surprise look on her face. I bit down on my lip.

"He's....I....-" I trailed off shooting a look of help to Sebastian who smiled and nodded once.

"Bella met my best friend and roommate Edward Masen when she first arrived here." Sebastian stated...Maureen turned around.

"Wow you live with Edward...Tell me, this has been proving to be a problem."

"A problem, Madame?"

"How old is Edward?"

Sebastian laughed heartedly...I felt the blush rise on my cheeks and immediately threw my eyes to the floor. "Edward is twenty three, ma'am." Sebastian answered.

"Thank you so very much...Could I get two cappuccinos, please?"

"How do you say...It is...On the house for you today, Maureen...To say welcome back!" Sebastian replied...I smiled down at the floor.

Sebastian was a very kind person...On first impression basis he had scored high with me he just seemed to me to be a fun-loving person who loved what he did and didn't find the need like myself to stretch himself more in the world....Whether or not the English are unsuccessful is not going to be up to me to decide but like so many others I was unable to find what it was I wanted to do...My parents had said that they had already set themselves a five-year life plan when they got to the age of twenty...I however have been sent to another country throwing everything I have ever had out of the window.

"Lets have a seat Bella." Maureen said turning around and giving me a smile as she held two cups balancing on saucers in her hands...I sat down on the nearest small table of two and rested my hands on the table. Maureen joined the table opposite me and lay down my coffee in front of me.

"Since when does France serve cappuccinos?" I asked picking up the cup and blowing on the coffee near to the rim.

"Since a while...Anyway I started on espressos when I first lived here but the caffeine was too much for me. You can't put sugar in espresso anyway because the cup is too small."

"Oh...That makes sense."

"So...Shall we search for some new French clothes for you?" Maureen asked studying my top...I looked down and fiddled with the hem of it with my fingers.

"What is wrong with my clothes?" I asked...A little hurt in honesty.

"There is nothing wrong with them, Bella...It would just make a change that is all."

"You see...I don't like shopping...I never have done." Maureen almost choked on her cappuccino as she put it back on the saucer.

"How can you not like shopping...Every girl enjoys shopping it is the way that we are all built." Maureen exclaimed...I sighed.

"I have never been the same as other girls...What is the point in trying to make an effort when there is no one to share it with." I answered.

Maureen opened her mouth to speak...I guess straight away that she was ready to protest to my remark...Someone cleared their throat before she could speak..I looked up.

"An iced bun for you, Bella" Sebastian said putting down the plate holding the familiar bun with the sticky white icing...My mouth watered but I shook it off. "And a Danish for Madame Maureen." Sebastian finished putting down the stranger looking cake in front of my cousin.

"Dear Sebastian...I did not order these." Maureen said...Sebastian smiled at her.

"No Madame...However Edward told me last night that if I were to...Have my shop graced with yours and mademoiselle Bella's presence then I should give you these."

"It seems like Edward Cullen is soon to become a favourite in my book...Wouldn't you agree, Bella?" Maureen asked shooting me a mischievous glance.

"That is very kind, Sebastian but we couldn't possibly-"

"Edward insisted...He made it clear that I should um...Make sure you eat them." Sebastian broke me off and walked away around the counter. I sighed deeply.

"Oh Bella...He is thinking of you, he is being kind." Maureen said.

"I just don't know how I am going to repay his kindness."

"Does he want his kindness repaid?"

"The English way is to give what we receive." I cursed inwardly at my choice of wording..."I mean we must show others the same treatment they give us."

"I knew what you meant, Bella" Maureen smiled.

"Is Ellie going to be around later?" I asked.

"Honestly...I don't know, most of the time she comes around when I am not expecting her."

"That's not very friendly."

"She is only looking out for me."

"I know...You have said that but you have me, now." I said...Trying to make her see that I would be able to look after just as well as her so-called ex carer.

"Oh darling...You will not be here forever...You have nothing to keep you here for the long-haul. Ellie will be here for as long as I am in need of her."

"You make it sound like I am going to leave you as soon as I gain some perspective."

"No...I feel that you will go when you feel it is the absolute right decision to do so." Maureen replied...I studied the iced bun next to me..Maureen had already eaten half of her cake. "Are you not going to eat that?" Maureen asked.

"No...I have eaten too much sweet cakes...I do not want to put on any weight." I answered.

"Bella..You have NEVER shown weight even when you were a child and you ate entirely too much in one day as an older person would. Go on, eat it."

"No"

"Bella"

"Maureen...I have taken far too much from Edward, already...He keeps giving and it makes me feel worse and worse when I do not have anything to give back."

"It's a bun, Bella."

"It's the principle. I would feel bad." I stood up and took the plate in one hand...I went up to Sebastian who was rolling some flour with a rolling pin...He looked at me and I put the plate on top of the counter.

"Tell Edward when you see him that the offer was kind...But I have to stop taking things from him" I said.

"Bella...You do know that he will be upset when he finds out you have give it back to me." Sebastian's English was very good...However there were words were it was wrong or mixed up in sentences...However I always knew what he meant.

"I am sorry...I can't do it." I walked away from him and back to the table. Maureen gave me a disapproving look.

"Bella...There are not many...friends...In this world...Such kindness is rare to find."

"Do you think I don't know that? I am grateful, really I am....I mean I would never have gotten away from the airport if it weren't for Edward."

"Okay...I am sorry...I know I am amking a habit of bringing him up."

"Do you like him that much?" I asked...Sipping the last contents of my cup.

"I do." Maureen answered honestly. "I have something which I would like to ask you about, though?"

"What is it?"

"A box of pills fell from your handbag the other day...They were on the carpet by your bedroom door the morning after you arrived."

Shit, shit, shit! I have been looking EVERYWHERE for those!! My stomach clenched in panic...The pills in the box were the subscribed morning-after pill that people took when they didn't want to use condoms for protected sex....Maureen is going to think that I am sexually active..That is what all adults say, anyway. I bit down hard on my lip. "I may be old, but I do know what those pills are, Bella" Maureen added.

"It's not what you think." I stuttered.

"Are you-"

"No...I am not sexually active" I broke her off..Maureen nodded. "I have suffered from really bad skin for about five years now...You weren't there when my skin broke through and so now I take them to keep my acne at bay that is all. You can ring up my father and ask he was the one who pushed me to get it because I was so self-conscious and depressed."

"Oh...That is alright, then...I will give them back to you when we get home."

"Okay."

"If it was for the other reason..I would not have had a go at you – I just want you to know that, Bella." Maureen said.

"Thanks" I answered.

"You ready to go?" Maureen said...I nodded and got up from my chair...I walked around to take her hand and place the other hand on her back to lift her up from the seat. Once she was standing upright and balanced...I took the cups and saucers from the table and put them on the counter...I waved at Sebastian and turned around quickly to take Maureen's arm. I saw her smile at Sebastian as she rested her free hand on my arm and followed me as I led her out of the door.

We stepped out into the square....Maureen stopped before we reached the end of the pavement.

"Last chance...Shopping or home?" Maureen asked.

"Home" I answered immediately. I started to walk pulling her along with me.

"If you will not go out shopping then at least let me get you something ordered."

"No...Please...I still have to get around to changing up my English money." I protested.

"Okay how about if I make you a deal...I order you things in from the catalogue and bring in my seamstress to help you decide."

"You have a seamstress?"

"I have always had one...Even when I was in England...Here, though they can do home visits instead of having to go to shops and filling out the task of clothing."

"Oh...Okay, fine" I groaned in defeat.

"Good!" Maureen said happily.

*(Late Evening)*

The room where I had first seen and spoken to Ellie had become a haven of mine...There were more books down here than there were in my room and I enjoyed having to look out onto the view outside...It wasn't much but it had it's own kind of beauty. I was deeply involved in a book by Flora Thompson named 'Lark Rise to Candleford'....I had been unable to put it down and so I was now determined to finish it as quickly as I could.

The door opened and I looked around in the chair...My body still facing the window.

"Sorry...Bella I just came to say that my seamstress is away on holiday at the moment...She will not be able to come here for another week." Maureen said apologetically.

"Don't worry...That is fine..I have enough clothes anyway even if they may not be much to look at." I replied.

"Is Edward not seeing you tonight?" she asked walking around to stand in front of me blocking the view from the window from my eyes.

"Maureen!" I warned...She put her hands up.

"A simple question" she replied...I shut the book closed and put it on my lap.

"Please...You need to stop this." I said in a slightly stern tone of voice.

"You are my family, Bella...I just want to see you happy."

"If you stop being nosey then you will."

"Okay" Maureen chuckled.

"Did you need anything...I can make you some food if you would like." I asked.

"No thank you my dear...I am off to bed."

"Would you like a hand?" I asked starting to get up from the chair...Maureen put her hand on my shoulder.

"Always so kind...Like your mother. No...Just promise me you will not go to bed late." I sat back down.

"I promise" I answered...Maureen leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"Bonne nuit, Bella" she said...I smiled.

"Sweet dreams" I answered.

I watched her walk past me and close the door behind her when she had exited the room...I opened up my book again and continued to read the pages contently. It was a beautiful night outside...France was definitely more beautiful than England was...Something better that was more appealing about the country than my usual country.

*(Three days later)*

Maureen's health had been slowly deteriorating and there was nothing that I could do about it...She refused to see a doctor and have him examine her...Her bed had been her living spot for the past three days and Ellie had taken it upon herself to visit more often...However she never did anything as I was the one in the house apart from my cousin who was able to cook..I would not call sitting down by the foot of my cousin's bed and reading to her occasionally 'caring'...But what do I know about anything to do with the relationship between Ellie and Maureen.

Maureen had asked for me to get her a tin of special remedies...I have no idea about how she had wanted to use them nor could I say the name on the tin at all.

It had taken me forever to find and had taken me a good three hours of my day to fill out my errand. My feet had been like constant weights and I took some time out in the middle of the day to sit down on the fountain where I had made my wish with Edward my first night in France. This was now my favourite ever spot and it was peaceful just watching cars and people go by as they live their lives the way they should.

I was sipping my take-out cappuccino from Sebastian's cafe however, he was not working today...I assumed that the man must have a day off even if he was the manager. Edward had planned to see me last Sunday however he never came round...I did not hold him to the fact that he was going to meet me at all or set it in stone so it was not a real disappointment..He lived his life and I lived mine however there was a small part of me that missed his company.

A few passers nodded in greeting to me as they threw their coins into the water behind me...I nodded back and smiled, since my day out with Maureen three days ago people seemed to have recognised my face. I was somewhat relieved.

"Hello stranger" I looked up and turned my head to the right...Edward was standing there with his arms in his pockets.

"Hi" I said with a smile...Taking a sip of drink.

"I am so sorry I haven't been able to see you." Edward said..I shook my head.

"Don't worry...It was not set in stone." I replied.

"So you didn't want to see me?" Edward teased.

"I never said that...I have had a long day that is all." I answered a little annoyed.

"Why what happened?" Edward asked as he sat next to me.

"Just been busy" I stated in reply.

"What is that?" Edward was looking at the paper bag in my hand...I bit down on my lip for a moment before answering him.

"Maureen ran out of her favourite herbs I just went to get her some more." It wasn't a complete lie after all.

"Oh...Did you want to do something tonight...I am going away tomorrow for two days for my birthday...I want to spend some time with you before I go." Edward said...I gave me a questionable look.

"Why?" I asked.

"I will miss you...I have missed you for the past three days. Jacob and Paul are great but not as fun as you." Edward said with a smile.

"Well...It's a bit tricky at the moment, Edward-"

"Please, Bella...It will not be for long..An hour or so." Edward broke me off "please?" he pleaded.

"Okay..I will meet you here, though if that's okay" I answered.

"Fine... Did you want me to walk you home?" he asked.

I stood up and kept my hands occupied with my empty foam cup and the bag of herbs...I turned to face him.

"No thank you." I answered with as much of an enthusiastic smile as I could manage.

"I will see you tonight then...Here at around eight."

"Yes...Bye" I turned away from him and blinked away my sudden threatening tears in my eyes..I hated lying to him but then again I couldn't bring myself to tell him the whole truth about Maureen.

Once through the front door I rushed up to Maureen's room dropping my takeaway cup in her bin before approaching her on the bed..She turned her head and smiled.

"Hello, Bella" she acknowledged me softly...I held up the bag. "Oh thank you...Ellie is downstairs will you give them to her, she knows what to do with them." I turned around and out of the room...I stepped heavily down the stairs and into my haven to find Ellie sitting down however she had twisted the chair so that now I could see all of her body in the chair...The chair was facing the opposite way to the window.

"Well hello, Bella...Are those the herbs?" Ellie asked. I nodded. "Good...I will take those" she said getting up and taking the bag from my hands and walking out of the room. I huffed...It was probably wrong of me but I was growing a dislike for Ellie..I mean who was she to my cousin when I was a blood relative. I wanted to look after my cousin myself.

I sprinted out of my haven and to my room...I closed my door and threw myself onto my bed and cried into the pillow muffling my mouth so that no one would be able to see me.

I wanted Maureen to get better...I wanted to spend more time with her and make her feel like I was to be a member of her house for a while...Longer than she or I both imagined.

*(Later)*

Pulling my sleeves further up my wrists I sat down on the fountain edge...I had found it hard to stop myself from crying again as the cool air surrounded me. I twiddled with a strand of my hair with my fingers as I waited on my own underneath the stars and moon in the sky.

I wasn't planning to stay with Edward for long..Even though I would want to stay longer with him if things in my life didn't prove to be an obstacle to what I truly wanted to do. Two hours at the most was going to be my plan.

I gasped when something covered my eyes...I stood up but fell of balance...A hand wrapped across my waist.

"Bella it's me, Edward...It's okay don't panic" Edward whispered into my ear...I tried to slow my breathing down.

"What are you doing?" I asked as he released my waist and tied something on the back of my head...I was in complete darkness now and feeling a little fearful.

"It's a surprise" Edward whispered again...He took my hand and lifted me up from my waist off of the fountain steps...He set me down but kept his arm around my waist and his hand in one of mine as he led me away from the spot.

I had calmed somewhat when Edward kept his hold around me...I felt protected in his arms even though I was blindfolded and probably looked like I was being forced into doing something I didn't want to do by onlookers. There was a warmth that hit my body but I couldn't hazard a guess as to where we were or what Edward had planned. It was about fifteen minutes before the coldness hit me again.

"Edward" I said.

"Okay, stop." Edward said...I stopped my feet...Edward took his hand out of mine and unwrapped his arm from around me. He undid the knot around the back of my head and the darkness slipped underneath my face...I blinked my eyes as the light strained them slightly. Once my vision was clear I looked ahead at what was a rooftop view of Paris...The Eiffell tower standing proud and bright in the middle. I looked a little closer at where Edward and I were standing and saw a dinner table set for two..A dark red tablecloth with three thin stick candles in the centre...In front of the two chairs were silver plates with lids on top of them...I sighed and turned to Edward.

"Edward...I can't." The tears escaped my eyes...He was always so kind to me and I was so unused to anyone being so attentive to me. Edward put his hand on one of my shoulders.

"Bella, what is it?" he asked quietly...Concern in his voice.

"You have been so kind...But I can't keep taking things from you." I choked out my gaze at the floor...Edward put a finger under my chin to lift my eyes up to meet his.

"I do things for you because I want to, Bella."

I shook my head "I am sorry...I have to go." Edward moved his other hand to my shoulder holding me in place. "Please?" I pleaded.

"I find it hard to stay away from you, Bella...The last three days have been torture."

"I am sorry to hear that-"

"Now I am to go away again...Please stay with me?"

"Edward...Don't make me do this...I need to go."

"I don't want you too...I hate being away from you, Bella...You have to know that."

" I do."

"Then stay...For me."

I shook my head. "Please?" he pleaded again...It was proving to be harder and harder to say no to him...His voice was so pure but it had real sadness in it which was heartbreaking. I was about to say no again when Edward's lips suddenly connected with mine...I kept my eyes wide open as he attempted to open my mouth with his..My eyes were about to droop closed when he managed to open both our mouths. His tongue lightly brushed my own and I pulled away from him, hard.

I shook myself out of his hold...I wiped my mouth in shock.

"I am sorry...I just want you to stay" Edward said...I turned away from him and ran back through the nearest doors in front of me the warmth which I had felt blindfolded was a restaurant now I could see. I rushed to the main entrance away from all the gazing people watching me fly past them as they ate and swung open the door to step out into the night. I walked fast straight ahead even though I had no idea where I was or what direction to head towards to get back home.

"Bella..Wait!" I heard Edward shout behind me...I released the tears from my eyes but said nothing as I carried on walking quickening my pace the wind was in my face and hair..Edward had suddenly appeared in front of me and I stumbled to a halt not wanting to stand on his toes.

"I am so sorry, Bella...Really I don't know what came over me. I just wanted to make this night special."

I swallowed hard. "Edward it was beautiful and the whole thing was such a sweet thing to do but I can't accept it...I cannot pay you back."

"I don't want you to pay me back, Bella."

"Well...I believe I should...I would never be able to live with myself if I kept on taking and taking from you."

"You should be looked after, Bella..I do not believe you have had people truly care for you in your life." Edward placed one of his hands on my cheek.

"Edward...We're still friends, right?"

Edward examined my face for a second..."Yes, yes we are" he said quietly. I nodded and sighed in relief. "I should take you home" Edward whispered.

Edward let go of my face and walked beside me on our way home...It was an awkward silence the whole way back..The kind where one of you or both of you have showed your emotions in a silly way and so when you are trying to find something to talk about...You end up with nothing.

We reached the gate to Maureen's and I turned on my heels to face him..His head was down and his forehead lines visual on his forehead. I frowned and stroked his left shoulder as he brought his face back up to mine.

"So I guess I will see you in a few days, then" Edward said looking pained...I nodded.

"Yes..Have a good time." I replied.

"Bella seeing as you will not accept gifts and gestures from me...Can I ask you for something?"

"Yes" I answered.

"Will you kiss me...As a birthday present?"

I swallowed and ran a hand through my hair. "Um..I don't-"

"It will be my birthday and at least give me something to remember you by when I miss you." I swallowed again and nodded...Edward smiled and closed the distance between us, he put one of his hands on my cheeks again and guided his lips to mine enveloping them softly once they were connected. Edward sighed as the vibrations fell against my lips...I brought my hands up to rest around his neck...What was happening to me? Edward brought our tongues together and wrapped his hands around my waist pushing himself into me a little hard....I was getting dizzy as our lips caressed every area of themselves never leaving anything behind. There was no one but us now and it felt strange. I took my lips away from Edward's..He rested his forehead on mine..His breathing also heavy.

"Friends don't kiss like that" I stated in a whisper..Edward sighed contently.

"It was only a present, Bella...One that I am very grateful for." He whispered back taking his hands and his forehead away from me...he took a step back. "Sweet dreams, Bella" he said.

"Good night, Edward and happy birthday." I replied..I turned and pushed the door handle down as I reached the front door and walked into the hall closing it behind me.

I leant against the wall for a few moments...I was confused..That seemed like so much more than something you would basically give to someone when they had a birthday...There was too much emotion in that kiss...Edward was into that kiss and he had kissed me first back at the table and view space...Could he be feeling something for me that he really shouldn't.

The sad thing was that if he did have feelings for me then I do not know how I was going to return them..He was my friend and I do not see him as anything else.

I was not willing to break his heart...It will all be forgotten about by the time he gets back and fingers crossed that Maureen recovers because her being ill is also weighing heavy on my heart at the present moment.

I washed my face in the bathroom once I had climbed the stairs...I got out my most comfortable pair of pyjamas from a shelf in my wardrobe and got out of the clothes I was wearing and climbed into the freeing material of my pyjamas. I turned off my light and climbed into bed.

The last thought I had was of mine and Edward's kiss before sleep overtook me and pulled me under.

Thanks for reading!

.S.

X x x